Obituary for Italo Benito Natale "Benny" Trombino
Italo Benito “Benny” Natale Trombino, 87, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Westerly surrounded by his loving family on May 23, 2023.
Italo was the beloved husband of Anna (Tropea) Trombino for 60 years. He was born in Italy in Flavetto di Rovito, Provincia di Cosenza to his late parents, Stanislao and Filomena Trombino.
His journey to America began in 1961 when he tirelessly worked to establish residency for American citizenship spending 6 months in America followed by 6 months in Italy for several years. During this time, he married his sweetheart in Italy in 1962. They had their first child in 1963 but his family had to wait until 1965 before they were allowed to join him in America.
He began his career as a Chef in Italy and continued in America alongside his wife in some of the area’s finest restaurants beginning with The Greenhaven Inn, Villa Capri, Nigrelli’s Crest, and Happy Hollidays. He and his wife then embarked on their own and opened the popular and successful Villa Trombino Restaurant on Columbus Day, 1973, which remained a staple in the community for 30 years.
Anna took over as Chef and Benny, as he was known to all their customers, bartended, greeted and entertained everyone. Dining was truly an experience as he serenaded customers with his mandolin, singing Italian classics and an occasional operatic selection. Still to this day, a month doesn't go by without someone mentioning a memory of Benny and Anna at the Villa.
Proud of his Italian Heritage, they always participated in the Columbus Day parade, winning the Most Colorful float one year. Anna and Benny’s contributions to Westerly were also recognized when they were named as Honorable Citizens in the 2017 Columbus Day Parade. He never missed an opportunity to play music and sing in the community at events like Neighbor Day and took great pride playing his mandolin, accordion, or banjo. Benny was a past member of the Elk’s Lodge, a life member of the Calabrese Society and a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
He is survived by his children, Filomena Siner, Stano (Erin) Trombino, Dino Trombino, and Anita Trombino (Jay Faubert) as well as three siblings, Maria Trombino of Torino Italy, Anna (Frank) Scola of Worcester, MA and Medoro (Palma) Trombino of Westerly. He was pre-deceased by his son-in-law Jeffrey Siner, sister Ines Gagliardi, brother-in-law Carmine Gagliardi, mother-in-law Laurina Tropea, father-in-law Vincenzo Tropea, sister-in-law Antonietta Tropea and brother-in-law Frank Tropea.
Benny was sure to instill a sense of family and tradition to all, but he was always happiest when surrounded by his seven grandchildren: Emily, Nicholas, Francesca, Matthew, Michael, Emma, and Ava. Nonno was always quick to play a game, have them sing along with him or tell them stories and traditions from his past so that they will never forget and continue to carry them on. The handwritten notes from his grandkids under his plate at Christmas dinners will be remembered forever.
We are grateful for the angels on earth who took wonderful care of him; Kim Cushing, Suzanne D’Amato, Dr. Crisafi and staff, Nicole Salvadore and the entire staff at Continuum Hospice & Palliative Care. Thank you to Fr. Giacomo Capoverdi for his tremendous spiritual support and prayers. A special thanks to Dr. James Chodosh at Mass Eye and Ear who was able to give him his eyesight back for the last 5 years so that he was able to watch his seven grandchildren grow and excel.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. There is no procession to church from the funeral home. Entombment will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. For online condolences please go to www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
Italo was the beloved husband of Anna (Tropea) Trombino for 60 years. He was born in Italy in Flavetto di Rovito, Provincia di Cosenza to his late parents, Stanislao and Filomena Trombino.
His journey to America began in 1961 when he tirelessly worked to establish residency for American citizenship spending 6 months in America followed by 6 months in Italy for several years. During this time, he married his sweetheart in Italy in 1962. They had their first child in 1963 but his family had to wait until 1965 before they were allowed to join him in America.
He began his career as a Chef in Italy and continued in America alongside his wife in some of the area’s finest restaurants beginning with The Greenhaven Inn, Villa Capri, Nigrelli’s Crest, and Happy Hollidays. He and his wife then embarked on their own and opened the popular and successful Villa Trombino Restaurant on Columbus Day, 1973, which remained a staple in the community for 30 years.
Anna took over as Chef and Benny, as he was known to all their customers, bartended, greeted and entertained everyone. Dining was truly an experience as he serenaded customers with his mandolin, singing Italian classics and an occasional operatic selection. Still to this day, a month doesn't go by without someone mentioning a memory of Benny and Anna at the Villa.
Proud of his Italian Heritage, they always participated in the Columbus Day parade, winning the Most Colorful float one year. Anna and Benny’s contributions to Westerly were also recognized when they were named as Honorable Citizens in the 2017 Columbus Day Parade. He never missed an opportunity to play music and sing in the community at events like Neighbor Day and took great pride playing his mandolin, accordion, or banjo. Benny was a past member of the Elk’s Lodge, a life member of the Calabrese Society and a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
He is survived by his children, Filomena Siner, Stano (Erin) Trombino, Dino Trombino, and Anita Trombino (Jay Faubert) as well as three siblings, Maria Trombino of Torino Italy, Anna (Frank) Scola of Worcester, MA and Medoro (Palma) Trombino of Westerly. He was pre-deceased by his son-in-law Jeffrey Siner, sister Ines Gagliardi, brother-in-law Carmine Gagliardi, mother-in-law Laurina Tropea, father-in-law Vincenzo Tropea, sister-in-law Antonietta Tropea and brother-in-law Frank Tropea.
Benny was sure to instill a sense of family and tradition to all, but he was always happiest when surrounded by his seven grandchildren: Emily, Nicholas, Francesca, Matthew, Michael, Emma, and Ava. Nonno was always quick to play a game, have them sing along with him or tell them stories and traditions from his past so that they will never forget and continue to carry them on. The handwritten notes from his grandkids under his plate at Christmas dinners will be remembered forever.
We are grateful for the angels on earth who took wonderful care of him; Kim Cushing, Suzanne D’Amato, Dr. Crisafi and staff, Nicole Salvadore and the entire staff at Continuum Hospice & Palliative Care. Thank you to Fr. Giacomo Capoverdi for his tremendous spiritual support and prayers. A special thanks to Dr. James Chodosh at Mass Eye and Ear who was able to give him his eyesight back for the last 5 years so that he was able to watch his seven grandchildren grow and excel.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. There is no procession to church from the funeral home. Entombment will follow at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. For online condolences please go to www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com